Presbytery of Port Phillip East is thrilled to open registrations for this year’s Presbytery Ministry Retreat on Saturday, 5 September 2026.

Step away from the relentless demands of daily ministry and enter a beautifully held space designed to help you slow down, think clearly, and reconnect with your core purpose. Centered around the vital pillars of Restore, Relearn, and Re-Engage, this day is a gift of time to help you navigate change, pressure, and complexity with a renewed sense of imagination.

Event Details

Date & Time: Saturday, 5 September 2026 starting from 10am
Location: Narre Warren North Uniting Church (1 Main Street, Narre Warren North)
Registration: Tickets are now available for $40 per head including catering. Secure your spot via the Humanitix link below.
The retreat is OPEN to all ministry agents including ministers, pastors, Lay preachers and leaders who are involved with congregation worship and sacraments.

What to Expect

Rather than relying on rigid formulas, standard lectures, or performance, this retreat offers reflective leadership formation shaped by deep listening and thoughtful facilitation. You can expect:

Spacious Environments: A safe, calm space to speak honestly and think well together.
Fresh Perspectives: Outside-the-box ideas and innovative processes for discipleship, leadership, and missional training.
Grounded Dialogue: Creative approaches to community-building that bring diverse experiences together.

About Your Facilitator: Rev Dr Julian Hamilton

We are incredibly privileged to welcome Rev Dr Julian Hamilton as our retreat leader.

Based in Northern Ireland, Julian works internationally across faith, education, and community settings. He brings a calm, attentive presence shaped by years of pastoral leadership, chaplaincy, and public engagement in highly complex environments.

Julian’s diverse ministry and creative background include:

Pastoral Leadership: Formerly serving as the Superintendent Minister of the Larne Methodist Circuit.
Ecumenical & Multi-Faith Chaplaincy: Serving as the Methodist Chaplain at Trinity College Dublin within a diverse, vibrant university context.
Interactive Facilitation: Heavily influenced by the 'Art of Hosting' movement, Julian brings a refreshing element of fun to his work and is a trained facilitator of The Flow Game.

Author & Thinker: A creative soul at heart, Julian has published several youth resources, contributed to academic dialogues on interfaith conversation, and is releasing his first novel in 2026.

What Others Say About Julian:

"I have always found Julian to be thoughtful, sensitive, intelligent and honest in his dealings with others at every level... I warmly recommend him." > — Bishop Pat Storey, First female Anglican Bishop in Europe

"He knows his stuff, thinks outside the box, shares his faith in a way that allows questions and conversation, and brings fresh ideas and processes to discipleship, leadership and missional training." > — Rev Jay Robinson, Presbytery Team Leader, Australia

Register Today

Spaces are limited for this intentional day of rest and formation. Don't miss this opportunity to sit with peers, breathe deep, and find restoration for the journey ahead.

Click Here to Register via Humanitix

Contact the host of Port Phillip East Presbytery Retreat - Updated Date to 5 September